Australia Spy Claims

Updated
November 02, 2013 14:39:00

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia has emerged from the country's Foreign Ministry after being summoned to explain reports that Australia has been running espionage operations from the Jakarta embassy.

STEVE CANNANE, PRESENTER: The Indonesian Government says suggestions that Australia has used its embassy in Jakarta to spy on the country is just not cricket.

Diplomatic missions in China, Thailand, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea are also alleged to have been used for espionage.

The claims have frayed diplomatic relations between Canberra and Jakarta and Indonesian officials summoned Australia's ambassador to provide an explanation.

George Roberts reports from Jakarta.

GEORGE ROBERTS, REPORTER: Australia's ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and told firmly of Indonesia's objections.

GREG MORIARTY, AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO INDONESIA: I've just had a meeting with the Secretary-General and from my perspective it was a good meeting and now I have to go and report directly to my Government.

GEORGE ROBERTS: An explanation had been demanded but Lateline understands Mr Moriarty wasn't yet authorised to give one.

MICHAEL TENE, INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: The ambassador would have to report back to his Government.

GEORGE ROBERTS: So you'd expect him to then report back to you with further clarification, is that correct?

MICHAEL TENE: Certainly we are still waiting for the clarification that we seek.

GEORGE ROBERTS: Indonesia's made it clear that reports of Australia running surveillance operations from the Jakarta embassy are unacceptable. While people smugglers and terrorists were allegedly targets of Australian spies, the reported focus of the surveillance was politically, diplomatically and economically motivated. Indonesia's reaction isn't a secret.

MARTY NATELEGAWA, INDONESIA FOREIGN MINISTER: I'm not sure what's the right term in Australian terminology. I guess it's not cricket.

GEORGE ROBERTS: In Perth for a regional conference, Indonesia's Foreign Minister is still standing shoulder to shoulder with neighbours. But he has deep concerns that spy games could damage that close relationship.

MARTY NATELEGAWA: The costs in terms of trust, in terms of the damage that may be result in is something we must all reflect on.

GEORGE ROBERTS: His counterpart won't be drawn on secret surveillance.

JULIE BISHOP, FOREIGN MINISTER: I take his concerns about these allegation seriously, however it's long-standing practice for Australian Governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

GEORGE ROBERTS: Allegations of spying are nothing new. The former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, had to placate Indonesia's former President Suharto over similar revelations. An expert on Indonesia says spying is an accepted reality.

GREG BARTON, PROFESSOR, INDONESIA EXPERT, MONASH UNIVERSITY: Look, I don't think Indonesia will have been surprised at any of the content of the allegations. They understand very well how intelligence works and they understand its relationship with diplomacy, it's just the reality of the way things are but it's embarrassing to talk about in open company and their concern is a pushback from nationalist politicians in parliament.

GEORGE ROBERTS: It's not just Jakarta that's worried. Australia's reportedly used its diplomatic posts across the region from Bangkok to Beijing to gather intelligence, listening in to conversations and intercepting information.

PETER O'NEILL, PNG PRIME MINISTER: I think that those who are tapping into conversation should not be encouraged. We must be trusting to each other. We live in a neighbourhood and should respect each other's privacy and of course our communications between our own people.

GEORGE ROBERTS: China also has deep concerns and is demanding an explanation about reports that Australia's embassy there was used as a base for spy operations run by the United States.

GREG BARTON: Well, to say nothing else t is rather humorous. China is probably the world's very best in this field of electronic digital eavesdropping. It has better technology and more resources than anyone else except perhaps the Russians, so we spy on the Chinese, they spy on us, everyone spies on everyone but this outrage that the Chinese are expressing is cynical, perhaps, but at the very least rather ironic.